But today I want to talk about our candidates who didn’t win their primaries.

What we’re doing here is bigger than winning a single election, and much bigger than any one candidate. We are in a fight to save our republic, and for many people that fight is literally a matter of life and death.

We can no longer afford to rally behind a single charismatic figure, pin our hopes and dreams on them, and bitterly swallow our disappointment when they fail to fix our problems on day one. The days of waiting for the next hero to crest the hill are over.

The heroes we need are all around us. It’s time for your neighbor, your co-worker — for you — to get involved.

That’s exactly what our candidates are doing.

Paula Jean Swearengin is still a hardscrabble activist giving a voice to communities ravaged by poverty, broken promises, and poisoned water.

While people are fighting over party politics, the people of West Virginia are still trying to survive. I have heard multiple cries for help; especially from the people of Minden,WV. When will they be rescued from the hell of PCBs? If I could help them more, I would.

Cori Bush continues to serve as a nurse for the mentally ill, and never skipped a beat in her advocacy to end police violence or bring racial justice to cities like Ferguson.

Honored to be recognized by the Missouri Association of Black Ministers as their choice for their 2018 Community Activist Award! I will also deliver their State of the Black Union address for the evening. Join us for a great event! pic.twitter.com/0vDGLgP2LR

Anthony Clark and Jenny Marshall are still teaching; still engaging with their communities to, as Paula Jean so often says, #UniteOurFight.

And I will pray to God that Chicago doesn’t implement your racist and unconstitutional ‘stop & frisk,’ policy in which 90% of people stopped were found completely innocent. Stop trying to remain relevant on the back of my city! https://t.co/ViFsuZjii4

Robb Ryerse has joined forces with fellow progressive pastors to launch a new initiative called Vote Common Good, a bold movement to engage Christian voters in key races to oppose abhorrent policies such as family separation and for-profit healthcare, set party identity aside, and vote for progressive candidates in November.

To date, the Brand New Congress slate has earned more than half a million votes in the 2018 primaries. Running against multimillion dollar campaigns and spending as little as $1.05 per vote, each and every race you helped support made an impact on the national conversation.

A year ago it was unfathomable to many of our supporters that BNC had a progressive Republican running on Medicare for All. Today, a majority of Republican voters support Medicare for All.

A year ago, no one apart from a few activists was talking about shutting down the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE). Our candidates voted to #AbolishICE, adding it to our platform last November. Today, the calls to Abolish ICE grow louder every day.

Many from our 2018 slate are considering running again in 2020. But most importantly — they are working together. The candidates talk to one another, support one another, offer advice and solidarity. They continue to contribute to policy, sharing their expertise, connections, and resources. Their volunteers phonebank for one another, and whenever possible they travel to other states to campaign for their fellow candidates.

This is what we set out to accomplish. We’re building a caucus that’s bigger than party and strong enough to stand up to the powerful few invested in keeping things the way they are.

This is the path forward. Despite the divisions we feel today, it remains true that the majority of Americans want us to come together, to unite beyond party identity. In the current climate, this is a hard road to follow, but it is the necessary path.

A huge shoutout to my @BrandNew535 sister @CoriBush. 53,056 Missourians stood up and said enough is enough.

53,056 people said to hell with the status quo, it’s time the government represents us again. That is HUGE.

Our tiny staff and relentless volunteers are putting everything we’ve got into winning these races in November. We are already recruiting candidates for 2020. We are laying the groundwork and building relationships that will bring the inevitable restoration of our democracy, and we need you with us more than ever.

What’s the best way for you to help?

Can you make a one-time donation? Or commit to a monthly contribution?

Will you tell your friends and family about the only national organization bringing progressives together regardless of party affiliation?Share via email »

Will you share this on Facebook and Twitter?

Are you ready to volunteer and help us take this movement to the next level?

This year, none of us can afford to stay on the sidelines. Everyone has a role to play. What will your contribution be?

Cory Archibald has volunteered for Brand New Congress since January 2017, assuming the role of the Director of Communications and Chair of the Board of Directors in September 2017. For 18 years, she has worked all over the US and across the world as learning and development professional for a wide range of industries. She and her husband have also rescued animals for over 10 years. When she’s not looking after their dozens of dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks, Cory enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and dabbling in photography.